Locate direct current fast charging systems for electric vehicles at high volume interchanges on major transportation corridors at sites amenable to 5 to 25 minute-long visits.

Since the introduction of publicly accessible direct current fast charging (DCFC) systems during the EV Project in 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy and others have conducted surveys on deployment and use of DCFC equipment. The EV project deployed over 100 DCFC that used the CHAdeMO charging standard, which was included on all participating Nissan Leaf vehicles, adopted by Japanese automakers. The EV project installed DCFC in eight states in both metropolitan areas and along transportation corridors in rural areas.

Lesson Learned

The following should be considered in DCFC site selections:

DCFC sites should be located along major transportation corridors

Approximately half of the DCFC sites along a transportation corridor should be located at very high volume interchanges, with the remaining at slightly lower-volume interchanges

Characteristics of the host site should be amenable to activities lasting between 5 and 25 minutes, which is the typical duration for DCFC sessions (suggestions include coffee shops and convenience stores)

When choosing the spacing of DCFC sites along transportation corridors, planners should keep in mind that current DCFC technology provides up to 80 miles of driving range in about 30 minutes of charging

There is a greater likelihood that a DCFC will be highly utilized if its location exhibits all of the following location-based characteristics:

Within a half mile of a major commuter route

On or near the campus of a company with a highly compensated workforce, where it can function as both a workplace DCFC and be publicly accessible

It is in a welcoming and conspicuous location (i.e., not too closely associated with the host)

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